Bottom Line: You have to wait out the long line at least once for this classic Murray Hill brunch haven.

Tips:

Put your name down! They will hold a table for you.

Offer to sit at the bar and you have a good chance of eating sooner.

Nutella French toast

$15 brunch special includes entree + cocktail

About: Penelope is one of those restaurants that has a reputation for excellence based on fact. The cute, suburban-coffee-shop-looking exterior is a peek into the cozy, modestly sized restaurant, with a small bar and a to-go station. The hour or so wait for a table makes the first bite when you finally sit down even more delicious!

Food: Classic brunch food and drink, with a couple of seasonal specialties (try the apple cider mimosa!). The Nutella French toast is the classic dish and a common favorite - rightfully so. But I have never been disappointed at Penelope with the egg sandwiches, omelets, and sweets.

Atmosphere: While cute and cozy, the interior somehow reminds me of the dining hall at camp. Maybe it is the open space layout of tables in a row, or the wooden flooring, but it adds a little something to the ambiance of the meal. The service can be a bit slow, as the restaurant is constantly packed, but otherwise the atmosphere is pleasant and perfect for brunchtime.

Bottom Line: The constant line outside actually moves fast - and it is worth the wait!

Tips:

Offer to sit at the bar for quicker seating

Get the biscuits (they come with omelets or you can order separately) and try the strawberry butter it comes with - amazing!

Check out the bakery for fresh cakes, cookies and more - and you don't have to wait on line

About: Good Enough To Eat is one of those places that I've always wanted to go to, but the line outside has deterred me time and time again. This time, I was determined to get a taste and see for myself if the food lives up to the name. I even got there extra early (following a race in Central Park) with hopes of walking right in... well, I was wrong about the line, but it did move quickly and we were eating before we knew it.

Food: Ok, so the restaurant certainly lives up to its name "Good Enough To Eat". After running a race in Central Park, we were particularly hungry and making a menu decision was extra difficult. We netted out with two omelets and a brunch special pancake dish - good choices I must say!

Omelets - The omelets come with two biscuits instead of traditional toast and they are delicious! Also, note that the omelets come out on the runnier / less well-done side (as specified in the menu), so if you prefer your eggs cooked a little longer, just let your server know

Provencal omelet - with roasted red and green bell peppers, Spanish onions and goat cheese ($9.50). We swapped the goat cheese for cheddar and the omelet was still delicious and the ingredients tasted great together.

Little Italy omelet - with roasted mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese ($9.50). The sun-dried tomatoes added such a unique flavor to the otherwise pretty standard omelet. It was so tasty!

Biscuits - Each omelet comes with two biscuits and the famous strawberry butter. These biscuits are delicious and not greasy like many biscuits are. One of the best biscuits I've ever had for sure!

Pancake special - Almond pancakes with bananas, strawberries and crispy bacon on the side. We couldn't say no to this special of the day with thick, cake-like pancakes covered in (healthy?) almond slices, banana and strawberries. Didn't even need syrup because it was so tasty - but the syrup was good too. The kicker... bacon! A bunch of it, and it was extra thick and crispy... = success.

Atmosphere: White picket fence, hanging quilts, cows everywhere... definitely not what you would expect to see on a bustling New York City street, but strangely, it works. Good Enough To Eat not only has great food, it also has a nice ambiance with patient waiters, interesting decorations and quick service. There is outdoor seating, but keep in mind that there will be people leaning over you as they wait for their table (but hey, that may be better than waiting even longer for an indoor seat!)

Bottom Line: If you've never had a popover, there's no where better to start - plus great omelette options at this UWS staple

Tips:

Most meals come with a popover so ask before you order a whole basket

No reservations - so go early to put your name down on the list

About: If you are asking "What is a popover?" I have two things to say. 1) It is a light, airy, fluffy, eggy hollow croissant-meets-Yorkshire pudding roll. 2) Go to Popover Cafe asap! Fun fact: these delicacies get their name because while in the oven, the egg batter bubbles up and "pops" over the muffin tin that they bake in.

Food/Drink: Regardless of what you order at Popover Cafe, make sure you get a popover (or a basket of three). Their popovers come with a variety of butter options - strawberry is the classic but they also have unsweetened apple butter, unsalted butter, and even strawberry preserves available upon request.

Catering well to their key Upper West Side customers, many of the dishes are made with healthier ingredients - when possible. For example, the coconut almond crusted French toast is made with egg whites and skim milk. (Almost makes you feel good about eating something so sweet.)

For a restaurant that is such a staple in Manhattan, it only makes sense that their "Special Omelette" is so true to the city. This three-egg omelette mixes smoked Norwegian salmon, cream cheese and chives - the basic ingredients found on a classic New York bagel sandwich. And, it comes with a popover!

Another favorite is The Real New Yorker omelette with horseradish, cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and diced tomato - eggs with a kick!Atmosphere: Casual and low-key. Popular but not trendy or sceney. Popover Cafe is one of those NY institutions that people swarm to - neighbors, NYers and tourists alike. It has kind of a homey, cozy feel, perhaps due to its foundation back in the early 80s when most of the neighborhood was completely different - it's a bit like going to Grandma's house that is comfortable and hasn't changed in years!